RescueNet Australia is a department of Australian Relief and Mercy Services Ltd.

Beginning in 1986, RescueNet is a rapid response unit, which deploys professionally trained volunteer workers, who offer medical, light search and rescue, fire suppression, and trauma counselling assistance with 24 - 48 hours of the event.

Registered with the UN, the RescueNet team will often stay at the event for up to 3-4 weeks helping stabilise the effected area until a longer term NGO effort is mounted.

To date, RescueNet has responded to many disasters such as Honduras (hurricane "Mitch"), Yugoslavia, Albania (Kosovo crisis), Turkey (earthquake), Nicaragua (civil war, medical evacuations), Bangladesh (medical clinics), Rwanda (Disaster Child Care, orphaned children), Bulgaria (famine relief), El-Salvador (earthquake, civil war), Mexico (hurricane, medical care), Iraq (war), Philippines (Tornadoes), Banda Aceh (Indian Ocean tsunami) and Pakistan (earthquake).

To become a RescueNet team member, people need to first successfully complete a DTS and the two week RescueNet Emergency Relief training course, and then make a successful application to the RescueNet Board.

If you would like more information about RescueNet, please contact:

David Skeat - Email or Mark Cockburn - Email